The Hogarth Squash Tournament Final 2026
The Hogarth Squash Tournament Final 2026 - Friday 24th April
Hogarth General Manager and Squash fanatic Giles gives us a recap of Friday's intense Squash final.
Whether you're a long-time player or just squash curious, this year’s Hogarth Squash Final delivered the intensity, drama, strategy, and a true sense of the Hogarth community.
Here’s what went down in the 2026 final...
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Meet Our Finalists
A clash between experience and fresh ambition.
Ben Edney, our defending champion (2025 & 2023) faces Oliver Sharp, on his debut squash tournament at The Hogarth Club.
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Ben's route to the final
Ben, defending champion, had an interesting route to the final.
• Round 1: In the 1st round he played Chris, an ex-County player. Ben was worried and Chris took the first game. Ben was even more worried. However, he had worked out Chris’ game and found his touch coming through with the next 3 games.
• Quarter Final: In the 2nd round Ben came up against Ashok, someone he had played many times. Ben knew Ashok’s game from days of old and stuck to his routine coming through the winner 3-0.
• Semi Final: In the Semi’s Ben faced Peter, both having played against each other in the Final before. Ben had actually booked a 2 hour leg massage the day before in an attempt to loosen himself up. It clearly worked, Ben was agile and his shots were tight. He came through 3-0. Ben is Peter’s Nemesis!
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Oliver's route to the final
Oliver, whilst having been a member for 3-4 years had not competed in a tournament before because of his university commitments so this was his debut.
• Round 1: In the 1st round he faced Simon and came through 3-0.
• Quarter Final: In the 2nd round he played Andrew and took another 3-0 scalp.
• Semi Final: In the Semi’s he faced Charles, last years Finalist. Oliver took the first 2 games but it was a ding dong match with some really hard hitting. Charles then deployed his secret weapon, his wife with his newborn son, Caspar. Caspar managed to produce some loud ‘coo’ing’ and ‘screeches’ at opportune moments and Oliver got flustered and hit a few errors. Before he knew it Charles was leading the 3rd game and then won it walloping him 11-3. Was the tide turning? Sadly not, Oliver hastened himself and took the 4th game to win 3-1.
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The Final: Last year's winner vs the 'new boy'!
The scene was set, the Gallery was packed, the court was lovely and warm, the ball was going to be bouncy.
Match Summary
Game 1: The first game was a tester, both players looking to work out their opponent's weakness’.
• Oliver had a run of points to go 6-4 ahead
• Mid-game took Oliver to 10-5 with game point
• Ben clawed back to 7-10
Giles' commentary:
The serve changed hand a couple of times but then Oliver had a run of points to go 6-4 ahead. Ben hit an inch perfect lob wrong footing Oliver who then made an awesome effort to retreat and hit it off the back wall. The ball floated through the air so slowly over Ben’s head but the momentum was not quite enough and just fell short of the front wall. Ben serving 5-6, it was close. Oliver managed to hit some tight shots down the line forcing an error and a couple of sitting returns only to be punished. Oliver went 10-5 up with game point. Ben was having none of it. One deft touch drop and an error from Oliver put Ben back to 7-10. Oliver smashed the return of serve into the back of the court passed Ben and he took the first game 11-7.
Result: Oliver wins 11-7
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Game 2: The 2nd game started much as the 1st did, some long rallies.
• Ben deployed his touch game to go 7-5 up
• 9-7 to Ben, the wind was in his sails
• Oliver snatches the games, a pivotal moment
Giles' commentary:
Starting the games with some long rallies, and the players reached 4-4. It was then that Ben deployed his touch game and went 6-4 up and 7-5 up. It was shaping up for Ben to take the 2nd game and square the match. Indeed, Oliver hit a wild shot and struggled to clear the ball. A stroke was awarded against him despite his remonstrations with Giles that he had cleared the ball. This put Ben 8-7 up and it looked as though the wind was in his sails. He took the next point to go 9-7 up and was within 2 shots of taking the 2nd game, was Oliver rattled? Oliver summoned some extra energy and struck a nick and then some hard hitting cross courts escaping Ben to give him the 2nd game 11-9. That was close!
Result: Oliver wins 11-9
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Game 3: In the final game, both players were now feeling the intensity for a demanding match.
• A tight match to start with 5-5
• A battle of the ages, Oliver 24 and Ben, celebrating his 65th birthday!
• Oliver used his power to come out victorious on 11-8
Giles' commentary:
By now both players were breathing hard. Staying consistent, the 3rd game started much the same as the 1st two. Service changed hands often and it got to 5-5. You couldn’t separate them. Oliver seemed to be enjoying the rallies and there is a good reason for this. As it happens, we found out after the match that today was Ben’s Birthday, he is 65 today! Oliver is a mere 24 so has youth on his side! Oliver started to wear Ben down, he kept the ball bouncing but his shots were tight and Ben couldn’t get into his routine. Oliver went 9-6 up and then Ben hit another purple patch with his drop shots and came back to 8-9. Did he have enough energy and experienced racket skills to take the young man? Sadly, it did not happen, Oliver used his power to bury the ball in the back corners leaving Ben stranded and came out victorious 11-8.
Result: Oliver wins 11-8
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FINAL RESULT: Oliver wins 3-0
A superb performance from the tournament debutant, combining composure, power, and relentless energy. Oliver admitted afterwards that had Ben taken the 2nd game it could have changed the course of the match.
As soon as Ben got off court, two of our regular Squash players, Magdolna and Andrea (both on the balcony supporting) presented him with a homemade Apple Pie with a candle on top for his Birthday. This, Ben shared with everyone afterwards. What a lovely gesture.
Really well played Oliver, some amazing shots and rapid gets. Unlucky Ben but many happy returns!
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Join the Squash community at The Hogarth
Matches like this are what make the Hogarth, and squash community so special. Whether you're an experienced competitor, a returning player, or completely new to the game, there's a place for you on the court.
Join us every Friday from 6pm - 10pm. Total beginners are welcome!
Come for the cardio, stay for the camaraderie.